dr.sulaikha

Arthritis

The word "arthritis" means "joint inflammation." Inflammation is one of the body's natural reactions to disease or injury, and includes swelling, pain, and stiffness. Inflammation that lasts for a very long time or recurs, as in arthritis, can lead to tissue damage.

A joint is where two or more bones come together, such as the hip or knee. The bones of a joint are covered with a smooth, spongy material called cartilage, which cushions the bones and allows the joint to move without pain. The joint is lined by a thin film of tissue called the synovium. The synovium's lining produces a slippery fluid called synovial fluid that nourishes the joint and helps reduce friction. Strong bands of tissue, called ligaments, connect the bones and help keep the joint stable. Muscles and tendons also support the joints and enable you to move.
With arthritis, an area in or around a joint becomes inflamed, causing pain, stiffness and, sometimes, difficulty moving. Some types of arthritis also affect other parts of the body, such as the skin and internal organs.

Types of Arthritis

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Some of the more common types include:

Osteoarthritis. This is the most common type of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage covering the end of the bones gradually wears away. Without the protection of the cartilage, the bones begin to rub against each other and the resulting friction leads to pain and swelling. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint, but most often affects the hands and weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip and facet joints (in the spine). Osteoarthritis often occurs as the cartilage breaks down, or degenerates, with age or overuse. For this reason, osteoarthritis is sometimes called degenerative joint disease.Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-lasting disease that can affect joints in any part of the body except the lower back and most commonly involves the hands, wrists, knees, and feet. With rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system -- the body's defense system against disease -- mistakenly attacks itself and causes the joint lining to swell. The inflammation then spreads to the surrounding tissues, and can eventually damage cartilage and bone. In more severe cases, rheumatoid arthritis can affect other areas of the body, such as the skin, eyes, lungs, and nerves.Gout. Gout is a painful condition that occurs when the body cannot eliminate a natural substance called uric acid. The excess uric acid forms needle-like crystals in the joints that cause intense inflammation. Gout most often affects the big toe, knee, and wrist joints.

What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

Different types of arthritis have different symptoms and the symptoms vary in severity from person to person. Osteoarthritis does not generally cause any symptoms outside the joint. Symptoms of other types of arthritis may include fatigue, fever, a rash, and the signs of joint inflammation, including:

Pain

Swelling

Stiffness

Tenderness

Redness

Warmth

See also the FAQ section for more information about arthritis

Testimonials

Charlotte Jackson

British journalist & TV presenter

"I’m totally accident-prone and after numerous bumps and bruises, my Dad, a doctor, suggested I visit a homeopath for neck pains and migraines. I immediately noticed a huge difference and from that day on I’ve relied on homeopathy for a whole range of health issues and for general wellbeing too."

Louise Hazel

British Athlete

"As a professional Athlete I believe it’s incredibly important to carefully consider what you are putting into your body. That is why I take a natural approach to my health and well-being. As an Olympic Athlete, I have used homeopathy countless times to assist with the various bumps and bruises that I have suffered from hitting hurdles. Homeopathy offers a range of natural remedies and I wouldn’t dream of using anything else."

Stacey Dooley

TV presenter & Journalist

" It might seem odd that I choose to do a job which involves a LOT of long haul flights when I’m a very nervous flyer! I first discovered homeopathy when a friend suggested trying it to overcome my phobia of flying and I haven’t looked back since — it really has worked! "

Amal Fashanu

Designer & Equality campaigner

" I try really hard to lead a healthy and more importantly, natural lifestyle. I’ve used homeopathy for a wide range of health issues and it’s never let me down. It’s also great for general wellbeing, as remedies are very affordable and the effect they have on me is really noticeable. As part of the campaign, I had lilies (Lilium Tigrinum) painted onto my back. This beautiful remedy is sometimes used to treat women with gynaecological issues. "

Janey Lee Grace

Singer, Author & TV presenter

" I’m passionate about 100% natural health and wellbeing, and believe that it’s so valuable for people to take responsibility for their health, and to try a natural approach. I was first introduced to homeopathy 15 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. I gave birth in a fabulous hospital where the midwives prescribed homeopathy during labour. Later I used homeopaths to sort all manner of the kids’ illnesses. "

Alice Barlow

Actress and singer

" I’m relatively new to the world of homeopathy but have already seen noticeable results. As an actress and singer I suffer from stage fright and find homeopathic remedies really help to calm my nerves. It’s so important for people to have a choice when it comes to their wellbeing and I’m pleased I’ve discovered a natural way of keeping myself healthy. "

Annabel Croft

TV presenter

" I use homeopathy to treat everything from early signs of coughs and colds to sports injuries, for myself and my family. I embrace homeopathy as a way of life, visit my homeopath every few months and use a whole host of remedies. Homeopathy has worked wonders for me personally and I cannot deny its effectiveness. As a mother to three teenagers, I have raised my children on homeopathy, using remedies whenever they have been unwell as well as for their general wellbeing. Taking a leaf out of their mother’s book, my children have even been known to lecture the school doctor on the benefits of homeopathy as opposed to traditional medicines such as antibiotics. "

Debbie Moore

Founder of Pineapple Dance Studio

" I was fortunate enough to find homeopathy following the breakdown of my marriage, I’d started to gain weight and was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. As a result of this I was prescribed thyroxine tablets which are meant to be taken for life. Wanting to avoid this, on the advice of a friend I turned to a well-known homeopathic doctor, who was able to provide me with a cure. Since then I have followed this holistic approach to medicine and to everyday life. "

Gaby Roslin

TV presenter

" I find homeopathy incredibly useful for keeping me and my family healthy. I depend on it and have a kit of homeopathic medicines ready for what day-to-day life might bring. Homeopathy works extremely well on children. When my daughter was about 18 months old she had lingering cough that would not go away no matter what we did. I took her to see a homeopath and within days of taking the homeopathic medicine prescribed my daughter’s cough cleared. This and many other visits to the homeopath with excellent outcomes have convinced me of the effectiveness of homeopathy. Homeopathy has a tremendous amount to offer everyone. "

Louise Jameson

Actress

" My two sons and I have taken homeopathic remedies for 26 years. Tom, when he was two, was the first with a Pulsatilla, for a really snotty cold and he has not had an antibiotic from that day to this. Harry was next with Phospherous, for a bad chesty cough. I then joined with a Cal carb, which I used for ‘worn out mother syndrome’! Homeopathy has seen me through coughs, colds, operations, emotional and physical problems both acute and constitutional. But most recently it has eased me through the menopause without having to even think about more toxic medicines. Bless Hahnemann and all that pioneering work he did 200 years ago. "

Susan Hampshire

Actress

" I started using homeopathy over 40 years ago and have relied on it to treat myself and my family ever since. I keep a wide selection of homeopathic remedies on hand at home and use them to treat anything from bruises to throat complaints. Treatments I’ve used over the years, and continue to use, include Arnica, Bryonia, Rhus tox, Aconite, Hypericum, Hepar sulph, Ruta grav, Argent nit and Arum triph. As well as this, I always carry my reference book of homeopathic remedies with me everywhere I go. One treatment which I have found particularly effective is Hypericum and Calendula, which I use regularly to treat my skin. "

Peter Hain

British MP

" I’ve used homeopathy for many years and am convinced of its therapeutic value. I first came to know about homeopathy through my son who as a baby suffered from eczema. He had it a couple of years but with conventional treatment the eczema was getting progressively worse and at the age of four he also developed asthma. We turned to homeopathy then out of desperation and were stunned with the positive results. Since then I have used homeopathy for a wide variety of illnesses, but I rely on Arnica as it’s excellent for treating the everyday bruises and shocks to the system we face. My view is that homeopathy and conventional medicines must remain side by side under the NHS to offer the best to patients. "

Cherilyn Sarkisian

Singer actress - Oscar winner

"I don't think I'd still be around today if it weren't for homeopathic medicine. I was sick with an Epstein-Barr virus which led to chronic fatigue and I couldn't work effectively for two years.
I tried regular medicine and it just didn't work. Doctors said any illness was all in my head. People thought I was crazy. I then turned to a homeopathic doctor, almost in desperation. He started doing homeopathic stuff with herbs and vitamin therapy. Many doctors didn't believe in all that back then. Within four months, he'd got me up and back on the road again."

Cindy Crawford

Supermodel

Supermodel Cindy Crawford revealed on the Oprah Winfrey Show that homeopathic medicines are must-haves in her life.
"I am the doctor of our family and I'm a big fan of homeopathy," the mother of two told Oprah. "If I have the kids, for sure, I always take this with me," she explained, holding up a plastic kit containing small vials of homeopathic first aid medicines

Usain Bolt

The world's fastest man

The world's fastest man has been a patient of German sports doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt for many years.
He first visited the doctor, who makes use of homeopathy, at his Munich clinic when he was a teenager. “I've been coming here since I was 16,” the 100m world record holder recently said at a press conference in Munich. “It's been a long relationship. Every time I have a problem, he always gives good advice and treatments. He's the best at what he does. We are very close,” Bolt said

Pamela Anderson

Model and actress

Pamela Anderson, best known for her role in Baywatch, was infected with hepatitis C in 2002 and credits homeopathic treatment with helping to keep her in good health today.
She made her illness public in a media statement, saying she contracted the serious liver disease from sharing a tattoo needle with her ex-husband, rock musician Tommy Lee.
On first sharing the news, she was very worried and even predicted that she would die from the disease within a decade. But then she started seeing a homeopath doctor in Los Angeles. Her health improved greatly and her optimism returned: “It was very, very frightening in the beginning and sapping my strength,” she told a reporter in 2004. “But now I am very healthy. My liver was just tested and I have stayed exactly the same or slightly improved over the last few years. I feel great. I'm convinced my homeopathic remedy is keeping me strong. "

Paul McCartney

Singer

Former Beatles member and singer-songwriter Paul McCartney is a great fan of homeopathy.
"I can't manage without homeopathy. In fact, I never go anywhere without homeopathic remedies. I often make use of them," he says.
He was introduced to homeopathy by his wife Linda, who saw the great results of homeopathy when she could not get rid of her tonsillitis. When first diagnosed with tonsillitis she was prescribed a course of antibiotics which only provided temporary relief – her symptoms soon returned.
When she consulted a homeopathic doctor, however, her symptoms not only went away rapidly; they never returned.

David Beckham

Soccer Superstar

When David Beckham broke a bone in his foot just before the 2002 World Cup, he was devastated; and so were the English soccer fans. The first World Cup game was only 50 days away and chances of him playing were virtually zero.
Beckham was told that his injury, a broken metatarsal bone, would take between four to six weeks to heal, with another two to four weeks needed for rehabilitation. The star received intensive treatment which included homeopathy to speed up his recovery. He was so impressed with the results of the homeopathic treatment that he told the world about it.
He reportedly also is a great fan of arnica, which is a well-known remedy to reduce and relieve pain, bruising and inflammation.
Beckham’s wife, Victoria, also uses homeopathic meds and is said to have relied on it heavily during her third pregnancy to combat morning sickness.

Tina Turner

Queen of Rock & Roll

Multi-award winning artist and “Queen of Rock & Roll” Tina Turner suffered from tuberculosis in the mid 1970s and was only cured when she received homeopathic treatment. She initially sought conventional treatment but continued to suffer until she visited a homeopathic doctor in England.
She was cured within six weeks and reportedly was able to maintain the high energy musical performance for which she is now famous, due to this homeopathic treatment. She considered him as her doctor and friend and continued to see him until his death.
In her autobiography, I, Tina the star recalls how she was forced by her abusive husband Ike Turner, to perform even when she was very ill with tuberculosis. "Life in the fast lane wore me down, changes in my diet and homeopathy saved me. Thanks to my homeopathic physician, for bringing me back to health..."